After more than two years of fighting, Catrine Hægeland Øglænd has received the long-awaited news: her orphaned half-sister, Rose, aged 12, can finally move to Norway from Thailand. On Tuesday, Rose obtained her Norwegian passport at the embassy in Thailand, marking a significant step towards reuniting with her family.
Catrine, 37, and her family have invested 1.5 million kroner and spent over 300 hours traveling in their quest to bring Rose home from Thailand, where she has lived with a family friend since the tragic death of her mother from tuberculosis in 2020. Rose’s father died in 2017.
Currently on vacation in Thailand, Catrine expressed her joy immediately following their visit to the Norwegian embassy in Bangkok. “I haven’t fully processed it yet, but I am extremely happy,” she said.
Holding her new Norwegian emergency passport high, Rose proudly announced, “Here’s my passport!” during a phone call, displaying a mix of excitement and nervousness for her upcoming journey.
Emotional rollercoaster
Catrine described the emotional rollercoaster that Rose experienced in the hours leading up to receiving her passport. “She has been very happy, but she’s also a bit sad about leaving everything here and is feeling some nerves. However, we believe this will be very positive for both her and us.”
Rose will continue attending school in Thailand until the end of the week, after which the family plans a holiday together before their homecoming. They will celebrate Christmas in Lyngdal, and Catrine has prepared a room for Rose that has been ready for two years.
The family is now planning to purchase winter clothing for Rose, who has never been to Norway before. “We need to buy some winter clothes for her, but we’ll handle most shopping in Norway,” Catrine stated.
Complex journey finally rewarded
Catrine and her husband, Jan Simon Hægeland, have fought tirelessly since the summer of 2022 to secure parental rights for Rose and bring her to Norway. Their journey has included numerous legal hurdles, flying back and forth to Thailand, and navigating a complex bureaucratic landscape.
Catrine expressed immense relief and joy with the news, saying, “Finally, this nightmare is over. We are thrilled to become a complete family.”
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously described the case as complex and challenging. NRK has reached out for comments on the latest developments but has not received a response regarding the specific case.
As the family prepares for a joyful Christmas reunion in Lyngdal, Catrine remains optimistic. “Everything is perhaps a bit new and scary for her right now, but I believe it will be very good. She feels a strong connection to our family,” Catrine concluded.
If you are interested in the beginning of the story, read this: Catrine battles to bring half-sister home to Norway from Thailand
Source: NRK
